Job Search Central

The Best Jobs for People Over 50
by Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business LibraryApril 10, 2012

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people in the 55-years-and-older age group account for 19.5 percent in the labor force in 2010 and are projected to be 25.2 percent in 2020.

This age group’s contributions to the work force are substantial, some of them serving at helms of chief political, economic, education and military institutions. The experience of people over 50 provides a valuable asset to the U.S. workforce and their accomplishments are commendable.

Some people over 50 may transition into a full or part time consulting position in their industry while some may transition into occupations where they can use their skills and experience in related industries. CNNMoney presents 20 Best Jobs If You're Over 50 (2011) and these top 20 jobs score high for flexibility and social meaning, enjoy relatively low stress, and none require advanced degrees, as stated in Money Magazine.

Other 50+ Americans may seek employment in the non-profit sector and some may work for employers who are interested in having the experience, expertise and judgement of 50+ Americans. AARP has developed The Best Employers for Workers over 50 (2011).

Some may choose to make a difference by volunteering in libraries, museums, parks, schools, churches, zoos, hospitals, social agencies and international relief organizations such as American Red Cross, United Nations Volunteers, Peace Corps and Citizens Development Corps.

As an alternative to seeking employment, some 50+ Americans may make a career change and turn to entrepreneurship. According to the Small Business Administration, more than five million Americans age 55 or older run their own businesses and the number of entrepreneurs ages 55 to 64 is soaring.

Job Search Central at SIBL provides information to all populations on all aspects of career development. The following is job search information for people over 50.

The Science, Industry and Business Library is a premier public business library with comprehensive print materials, e-resources, and services for start-ups and established businesses seeking expansion.

The comments about people over 50 are certainly accurate.
Most have worked all their lives and have a vast array of
skills. Be that as it may, I have not yet noticed any
corporation who are eager to hire people over the age of
50. This is because older people cost more in medical
insurance, and other benefits. Also, younger workers
feel that their positions are threatened by the fact
that older workers are so knowledgable.
In order to assure that the percentage of older workers
in the future is 25%, some major changes would have to
take place. In the past, some races were not getting
enough work, so Affirmative Action laws were created
to fill the discrepancy. Probably a program similar
to that would have to take place before a fair number
of older people are being hired. In the past few years
corporations are trying to get older people to retire
early, because they can get younger workers for much
less salaries. All of those matters factor into what
the future of older workers is going to be.
As I mentioned before, most older workers have great
skills. Great skills count only if corporations are
willing to hire those who are older. It is probably
better for older workers to start their own companies.
Regarding senior citizens being 50 and older, it gets
confusing because people who are 50 or close to it in
age are "not considered senior citizens" in as much as
they have to wait until age 62 before they can retire.
The questions that concerns most people aged 50 to 62
is this, "If most companies have a secret policy of
not hiring those 50 and over, what can those people
do in order to survive?" Those who are savvy and
entrepreneural do start their own businesses.

I know whatcha mean. In the "dark ages" 50 year olds were not considered Senior Citizens. I now have a part time job, but when that disappears, I feel I will be "retired" and I am only 51. It is stupid to think that 43% of the population will just open businesses. And the NYPL discriminates along with everyone else (I can't even get so much as an interview with them and I have all the qualifications on paper including an MLS and five years of acquisitions experience using Millennium - their ILS system). So it's a bit hypocritical for them to be pushing these AARP job sites. These cites are absolutely useless and are filled with those bogus employment agency ads for places like CVS. There are no real jobs there.

I totally agree with Anonymous, it is very difficult to get a job at 50 years old and over these days. The main reason is the greed of Corporate America . They figure out that an individual of 50 and up, may cause them to spend too much money on health insurance. We do not deny that older citizen tend to develop certain chronic illnesses such as blood pressure, diabetes and so on. I am currently 59 years and I am not eligible to social security yet and I am unemployed with no fault of my own because I have been laid off three years ago. I have been sending my resume everywhere, but no one wants to hire me. I am in the dark age- black out age. Please can somebody explain the situation of the people over 50 to the congress so this " Do nothing Congress" could do something about it.

And the New York Public Library tops the list. They refuse to consider me for work even though I am an expert at their ILS system (Millennium) and have years of experience in Technical Services. I cannot even get an interview and I have applied repeatedly.